Please take note of the Spring 2025 Academic Testing taking place over the next few weeks.  These notices have also been shared in the Weekly E.

Spring 2025 District Reading and Math Screener Information 

April 2025 

Parents and Guardians of K4-8th Grade Students: 

A universal screener is used three times a year to monitor student growth and achievement, while providing classroom teachers important information to support individualized instruction.  The district is utilizing STAR Assessments from Renaissance Learning to monitor student growth and learning in reading and math.  This assessment is computer based, and is administered for all K5 – grade 8 students three times per year.  The students will be given the spring STAR Assessment during the spring testing period of May 12th through May 23rd.  This is a short computer-adaptive assessment, about 20 minutes in length, in both math and reading grades 4-8 and math only for grades 1-3.  K4 through grade 3 will be assessed in reading by the new Act 20 state required AimsWeb screener during the spring testing period of March 31st through April 29th.  Classroom teachers will proctor their own students so appropriate support can be given during this assessment.  STAR is a conceptually-based assessments that help teachers determine appropriate instructional levels and skills that students are ready to learn.  This assessment will help us to better meet your child’s needs. 

In order to help your child perform to the best of their ability, please make sure that your child comes to school well rested and has eaten a healthy breakfast.  If you have scheduled doctor or dental appointments, please notify your child’s classroom teacher so that make up testing can be scheduled. 

Specific dates and times for classroom testing will be relayed to families by each classroom teacher.  If you have any questions about the assessment, please contact me at 906-4805.  More information is available about the STAR Assessment on the school website at http://www5.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/school/maryland/  Thank you for your continued support! 

Peace, 

Joe DiCarlo, Principal 

February 2025

Dear Parents,

Wisconsin students in grades 3-8 will be participating in the Wisconsin Forward Exam during the March 17^th to April 25^th testing window.  Our school will begin taking the Forward assessment the week before spring break (starting March 17^th) and completing it the two weeks following spring break.

The Forward Exam tests students in grades 3-8 in Math and English Language Arts.  Grades 4 and 8 are also tested in Science and Social Studies.

One or more subtest may be administered daily during the identified time frame.  It is very important that your son or daughter be in school during this time.  Students not in school on the scheduled testing days will be scheduled for make-up test prior to the close of the testing window.
The WI Forward Assessment measures the knowledge and skills your student(s) should have acquired by the time they reach each grade level.  Their performance on the assessment will not affect any of their current grades.  Please encourage your child to take the test seriously and do the best they can.  The results of these tests will be used to help school staff make determinations or placement in classes to best support your child(ren).

Family Resources:
Below is a link to the DPI Assessment website which gives more information about the Forward assessment. https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/parent-info

Practice Items:
The website below provides information to give students the opportunity to practice the Forward Exam.  They can practice Forward Exam Item Samples which mimics the exam format and language on the test. These items are broken into subjects and corresponding grades.  While we will practice this with students at school, we highly encourage you and your child to explore and use these tools to help them familiarize themselves with the format and language of the test.
https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/forward/sample-items
Classroom teachers will provide families with the specific testing days. Please ensure that your child(ren) get a good night rest and eat a healthy breakfast on their testing days.  Encourage them to relax and do their best!
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. DiCarlo at 414-906-4805.

Peace,
Joe DiCarlo, Principal